Diamond Sharpening Tool - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Bazz4CQJ · 5th Mar 2023, 6:11 pm

I'm now readying garden tools

. I watched a YouTube video about sharpening the case-hardened blades you find in garden shredders. The guy suggested the final step was to use a diamond sharpener, an item I have never owned.

The one he used looked a bit like this inexpensive (~£4) item https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392875928968 Many other vendors are available.

Well, I've not got on to the shredder yet, but the tool has now been used on just about every blade in the house and the shack and it is sensational

, I cannot recall the last time a £4 purchase brought so much satisfaction; much recommended. Use dry or with water seems to be the norm.

B

Cruisin Marine · 5th Mar 2023, 7:10 pm

I will get one of these on your recommendation- thanks

paulsherwin · 5th Mar 2023, 7:21 pm

I bought a cheap one that looks like a rod inside a thin handle years ago. It's about the size of a ballpoint pen. It was sold as a knife sharpener, but can be used with any steel blade. It works very well.

Boulevardier · 5th Mar 2023, 7:33 pm

Thanks for the tip, Bazz. Just ordered one!

Mike

60 oldjohn · 5th Mar 2023, 8:11 pm

Diamond sharpening tools are great. I use a set of diamond files in the radio workshop, they far out perform the original rat tail files. Is it diamond dust, or man made diamond that is used to make these tools?

John.

CambridgeWorks · 5th Mar 2023, 8:36 pm

I have one that is ex bt. In an orange tube, (Same colour as their retractable blade knoves). It unscrews and then the tube forms the handle. Used it just over an hour ago, sharpening the carving knife.
Rob

wireman · 5th Mar 2023, 9:01 pm

I have a couple of sharpening stones but I don't think they are diamond. I have purchased from Knivesandtools (https://www.knivesandtools.co.uk/) in the past and they seem to have a good stock of different styles. From looking around, DMT (https://www.dmtsharp.com/sharpeners/...harpeners.html) looks like a popular make and is sold by a couple of tool suppliers I use.
So if anyone is looking for info on these you could try those sites.

Martin Bush · 6th Mar 2023, 11:33 am

Thanks Bazz - I have ordered one...

ex 2 Base · 6th Mar 2023, 12:26 pm

Aldi / Lidl have smaller versions on "offer" from time to time, a packet of 6, some round, flat, triangle etc. I've had mine several years, and they are still going strong, I sharpen up Stanley knife blades and touch up disposable lathe tools tips using them. Ted

trevatxtal · 7th Mar 2023, 8:52 am

A Tips for all Diamond sharpeners ( I use many sorts From pencil size to 3" X 5" plates plus files"
First Do not use force unlike a standard file or stone use just enough pressure to cut, (it breaks the cutting tips of the Diamond, can be seen under a micro scope) Diamonds are very brittle.
Second NEVER use on soft material such as Brass, Copper,Aluminum, Zink ,Lead and so on. If you do it will clog the file and unlikely cleanable.
The finer the Diamond the keener the edge on the cutting tool but takes longer.

Bazz4CQJ · 7th Mar 2023, 2:13 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevatxtal

A Tips for all Diamond sharpeners ( I use many sorts From pencil size to 3" X 5" plates plus files"
First Do not use force unlike a standard file or stone use just enough pressure to cut, (it breaks the cutting tips of the Diamond, can be seen under a micro scope) Diamonds are very brittle.
Second NEVER use on soft material such as Brass, Copper,Aluminum, Zink ,Lead and so on. If you do it will clog the file and unlikely cleanable.
The finer the Diamond the keener the edge on the cutting tool but takes longer.

Yes, I saw a note somewhere advising frequent cleaning with a stiff brush. I did it in water, then added just the tiniest amount of washing-up liquid to get the surface tension down, but finished off with a good rinse in tap water. I guess that using it on any soft metal would probably kill it.

The finer of the two sides on this cheap tool is 200grit; I'd quite like to try out something finer.

I hope all you people who went out and bought one have checked that your First Aid kits are well stocked

.

B

Cruisin Marine · 8th Mar 2023, 10:38 pm

Mine arrived today, not used it yet, which side is the fine grit side and which is rough?

Bazz4CQJ · 8th Mar 2023, 11:56 pm

The perforated side is the smoother.

B

noble kiwi · 17th Mar 2023, 2:58 am

By chance I noted this post and as sharpening knives has always been a problem with me, even though I have known and properly used the standard procedures. I have ordered one on line and will be very interested to try it out. When I have done so I will report my findings. Meantime my thanks go to this site and its members.

5th Mar 2023, 6:11 pm	#1
Bazz4CQJ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,935	Diamond Sharpening Tool I'm now readying garden tools . I watched a YouTube video about sharpening the case-hardened blades you find in garden shredders. The guy suggested the final step was to use a diamond sharpener, an item I have never owned. The one he used looked a bit like this inexpensive (~£4) item https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392875928968 Many other vendors are available. Well, I've not got on to the shredder yet, but the tool has now been used on just about every blade in the house and the shack and it is sensational , I cannot recall the last time a £4 purchase brought so much satisfaction; much recommended. Use dry or with water seems to be the norm. B __________________ Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch.

5th Mar 2023, 7:10 pm	#2
Cruisin Marine Heptode Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 994	Re: Diamond Sharpening Tool I will get one of these on your recommendation- thanks __________________ "Behind every crowd, there's a silver Moonshine"

5th Mar 2023, 7:21 pm	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,947	Re: Diamond Sharpening Tool I bought a cheap one that looks like a rod inside a thin handle years ago. It's about the size of a ballpoint pen. It was sold as a knife sharpener, but can be used with any steel blade. It works very well.

5th Mar 2023, 7:33 pm	#4
Boulevardier Octode Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 1,654	Re: Diamond Sharpening Tool Thanks for the tip, Bazz. Just ordered one! Mike

5th Mar 2023, 8:11 pm	#5
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,987	Re: Diamond Sharpening Tool Diamond sharpening tools are great. I use a set of diamond files in the radio workshop, they far out perform the original rat tail files. Is it diamond dust, or man made diamond that is used to make these tools? John. __________________ My favourite text message "I'll be there in five minutes, if not read again"

5th Mar 2023, 8:36 pm	#6
CambridgeWorks Nonode Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Spalding, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 2,859	Re: Diamond Sharpening Tool I have one that is ex bt. In an orange tube, (Same colour as their retractable blade knoves). It unscrews and then the tube forms the handle. Used it just over an hour ago, sharpening the carving knife. Rob __________________ Apprehension creeping like a tube train up your spine - Cymbaline. Film More soundtrack - Pink Floyd

5th Mar 2023, 9:01 pm	#7
wireman Heptode Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Posts: 528	Re: Diamond Sharpening Tool I have a couple of sharpening stones but I don't think they are diamond. I have purchased from Knivesandtools (https://www.knivesandtools.co.uk/) in the past and they seem to have a good stock of different styles. From looking around, DMT (https://www.dmtsharp.com/sharpeners/...harpeners.html) looks like a popular make and is sold by a couple of tool suppliers I use. So if anyone is looking for info on these you could try those sites.

6th Mar 2023, 11:33 am	#8
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,910	Re: Diamond Sharpening Tool Thanks Bazz - I have ordered one... __________________ Is it live, or is it... no, it's live actually...

6th Mar 2023, 12:26 pm	#9
ex 2 Base Heptode Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 510	Re: Diamond Sharpening Tool Aldi / Lidl have smaller versions on "offer" from time to time, a packet of 6, some round, flat, triangle etc. I've had mine several years, and they are still going strong, I sharpen up Stanley knife blades and touch up disposable lathe tools tips using them. Ted

7th Mar 2023, 8:52 am	#10
trevatxtal Triode Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Brixham, Devon, UK. Posts: 35	Re: Diamond Sharpening Tool A Tips for all Diamond sharpeners ( I use many sorts From pencil size to 3" X 5" plates plus files" First Do not use force unlike a standard file or stone use just enough pressure to cut, (it breaks the cutting tips of the Diamond, can be seen under a micro scope) Diamonds are very brittle. Second NEVER use on soft material such as Brass, Copper,Aluminum, Zink ,Lead and so on. If you do it will clog the file and unlikely cleanable. The finer the Diamond the keener the edge on the cutting tool but takes longer.

8th Mar 2023, 10:38 pm	#12
Cruisin Marine Heptode Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 994	Re: Diamond Sharpening Tool Mine arrived today, not used it yet, which side is the fine grit side and which is rough? __________________ "Behind every crowd, there's a silver Moonshine"

8th Mar 2023, 11:56 pm	#13
Bazz4CQJ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,935	Re: Diamond Sharpening Tool The perforated side is the smoother. B __________________ Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch.

17th Mar 2023, 2:58 am	#14
noble kiwi Pentode Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Auckland New Zealand Posts: 175	Re: Diamond Sharpening Tool By chance I noted this post and as sharpening knives has always been a problem with me, even though I have known and properly used the standard procedures. I have ordered one on line and will be very interested to try it out. When I have done so I will report my findings. Meantime my thanks go to this site and its members.